Passport Photo Size by Country: 2026 Dimensions Table
A country-by-country passport photo size chart for the US, India, UK, Canada, and Australia, including print size, pixel size, head size, background, file format, and upload notes.
Passport photo size is not universal. A photo that works for a US passport can be rejected by India Passport Seva, and a Canadian passport photo is taller than both. This guide gives you the practical size chart first, then explains the mistakes that cause most rejections.
Passport photo size chart
| Country / document | Print size | Digital size | Head size / face coverage | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States passport | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) | 600×600 to 1200×1200 px for online renewal | 1-1⅜ in (25-35 mm), about 50-69% of frame | Plain white or off-white |
| India passport, Passport Seva upload | 35×45 mm for many printed packets | 630×810 px JPEG for Passport Seva digital upload | 80-85% of frame height | Plain white |
| India visa / e-Visa | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) | Square JPEG, at least 350×350 px; portal limits vary by visa type | 80-85% of frame height | Plain white |
| India OCI card | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) | Square JPEG, at least 350×350 px; keep file within portal limits | 80-85% of frame height | Plain light cream / light background |
| United Kingdom passport | 35×45 mm | At least 600 px wide and 750 px tall, 50 KB to 10 MB | Head and shoulders visible; HMPO crops during application | Plain light-coloured background |
| Canada passport | 50×70 mm | Printed professional photo required for passport applications | 31-36 mm from chin to crown | Plain white or light-coloured |
| Australia passport | 35-40 mm wide × 45-50 mm high | Portal-specific for digital workflows; print spec is the controlling rule | 32-36 mm from chin to crown | Plain white or light grey |
Why one passport photo cannot be reused everywhere
The common mistake is treating passport photos as a generic “small face photo.” The actual crop geometry differs by country. A US passport photo is a square 2×2 inch image with the head filling roughly half to two-thirds of the frame. India Passport Seva uses a narrow 7:9 rectangle at exactly 630×810 pixels, with much larger face coverage. Canada uses a 50×70mm print, which is taller than the US square. UK photos are 35×45mm, but the digital upload workflow expects an uncropped image large enough for HMPO's online crop.
These differences matter because government portals check both file-level rules and biometric composition. A stretched or resized file can have the right pixel count while still failing face-size, background, or distortion checks.
Country notes
United States
US passport photos use a 2×2 inch square. The head must measure 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to crown. For online renewal, the cropped digital image should be square, within the State Department's accepted pixel range, and submitted as an original unedited photo. Use the US passport photo requirements guide for the full current spec.
India Passport Seva
The Passport Seva digital upload is the strictest format on this list: 630×810 pixels, JPEG, white background, and high face coverage. Do not upload a 2×2 inch square photo to Passport Seva. If you are applying through VFS or BLS abroad, you may also need printed photos, and those packet requirements can differ by mission. Read the Indian passport photo requirements guide before preparing both files.
UK passport
For a UK digital application, GOV.UK says the image must be clear, in colour, unaltered, at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, and within the accepted file-size range. If you take the photo yourself during the application, GOV.UK tells applicants not to crop it manually because the application flow handles the crop.
Canada passport
Canada's passport photo process is print-first: two identical unaltered photos, 50×70mm, taken by a commercial photographer or studio. The face height must be 31-36mm from chin to crown. Canada also explicitly rejects altered photos, including edits made with filters, photo software, or AI tools.
Australia passport
Australia gives a print-size range rather than a single fixed crop: 35-40mm wide and 45-50mm high, with face height around 32-36mm. Check the Australian Passport Office guidance before printing, especially if you are preparing a photo outside Australia or combining Australian and Indian document applications.
Fast way to check your file before submitting
Use the free passport photo checker to verify file dimensions, format, size, and aspect ratio before uploading to a government portal. For a paid, document-ready output, choose the exact document in the passport photo maker so the crop, pixel dimensions, background target, and print sheet match the selected country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common passport photo size?
The most common retail size is 2×2 inches, because that is the US passport format and many stores default to it. It is not universal. India Passport Seva, UK, Canada, and Australia use different dimensions.
What pixel size should a digital passport photo be?
It depends on the country and application portal. US online renewal uses a square file in the State Department's accepted pixel range. India Passport Seva requires exactly 630×810 pixels. GOV.UK requires at least 600×750 pixels for digital photos. Always match the portal you are applying through.
Can I resize a rejected photo to the right dimensions?
Only if the original photo already has correct lighting, face position, background, expression, and sharpness. Resizing cannot fix a head that is too close to the camera, a shadowed background, glasses, or a digitally altered image.
Should I use millimetres or pixels?
Use millimetres for printed photos and pixels for digital upload files. A government portal cares about the file's pixel dimensions; a passport office or photo counter cares about the physical printed size.
Last updated: July 2026. Requirements should be checked against the official government source for your exact country and application channel before submitting.